Balanced Set of Golf Clubs

ABSTRACT

A set of golf clubs with a plurality of at least two combinations of different lengths of a minimum of three golf clubs in each combination having progressive lofts that are matched to provide identical swing characteristics requiring unique loft and club length progressions to provide consistent yardage spacing between irons within a combination and between combinations. Each club in a combination is further defined by the shaft having an equal length; an identical swing weight, an identical grip weight and an identical head weight.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/095,326 filed Dec. 13, 2013 titled Balanced Set of Iron TypeGolf Clubs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to iron type golf clubs and in particularto a balanced set of golf clubs.

The game of golf is played by a wide variety of different players havingdifferent physical and golf swing characteristics. Because of thesedifferences traditionally conventional sets of golf clubs are balancedusing a number of variables in order to fit the particular physical andswing characteristics of particular golfers. Such variables includethings such as length of the club, the weight of the club, theflexibility of the shaft, the shape and size of the club head, the swingweight of the club and the locution of the center of gravity usingvarious weighting techniques.

All of these variables relate to the “feel” of the golf club as it isused to execute a golf swing to hit a golf ball to an intended target.Once the physical size of the club, such as length and weight, isdetermined, gulf clubs are normally balanced by adjusting the swingweight of each of the clubs so they are matched throughout the entireset. The swing weight is a variable that relates to the way the mass ofthe club head is distributed in the club and how the club feels as theclub is swung while executing a golf swing. The center of gravity is aparameter not usually matched in a set of golf clubs.

In the traditional method of balancing golf clubs, each golf club hasits own unique length, balance point, lie angle, loft, weight and othersubtleties that make each club different and require a golfer to adjustand learn as many as eight to ten different golf swings in order to makea repeatable golf swing for each club. For example, the clubs designedto hit a ball the farthest distances are longer than the clubs designedto hit the golf ball shorter distances. A shortcoming of this design isthat the longer clubs are typically harder to use to make solid contactwith the golf ball, primarily because the swing path or arc is longer.

Prior art golf clubs that have the same swing weight, same mass and samelength are known in the art. It is a common practice to use wedges ofthe some length in a set of golf clubs.

An attempt to create a balanced set of golf clubs is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 3,984,103 to Nix which is directed to a matched golf club setwherein all clubs in a class of either irons or woods have equal shaftlength, equal lie angle, equal swing weight and equal total weight.

The Tommy Armour Company marketed a complete set of clubs that are thesame size under the trade name Equalizers where each club in the set wasthe length of a conventional 6 iron. Single length irons have also beenmarketed under the trade name 1 Irons. Simpleton Golf is presentlymarketing a set of golf clubs formed of two combinations of clubs whereeach club in the combination is essentially the same except for the loftangle and loft progressions. While the merits of a single swing mechanicfor an entire set appeared promising, the diverse specifications of 6iron length for the high lofted irons and wedges and a six iron lengthfor the longer and mid irons was found to be too difficult for mostgolfers to control and effectively use to hit consistent golf shots.Neither the Nix patent nor the prior art products considered the use ofa set formed of a minimum of two combinations of identical clubs orproviding a matched, precise location of the center of gravity for allclubs in a combination or the unique loft and club length progressionsneeded to produce the yardage spacing found in traditional golf clubsets.

Another patent of interest is U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,329 to Schneebeli thatshows matched putter and chipper golf clubs that are identical inweight, length, balance and feel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a set of golf clubs having a pluralitya minimum of two separate combinations, preferably three combinations.Each combination includes individual clubs that are the same length in aparticular combination but are a different length than the lengths ofthe clubs of the other combinations. The difference in club lengthbetween combinations is constant and is repeated between the variouscombinations.

Each combination has at least three or more golf clubs of the samelength and varying lofts designed to hit a golf ball differentdistances. The higher lofted clubs are designed to hit a golf ball ashorter distance than the lower lofted clubs, requiring unique loft andclub length progressions to provide consistent yardage spacing withinand between the irons within and between combinations. This approach ingolf club set design is somewhat similar to the traditional progressionof lengths within a set of conventional design but differs in that theirons of the present invention are separated into combinations requiringa majority of golfers to learn no more than three swing parameters asopposed to the 8 to 10 different swings required by a traditional set ofirons.

In addition, the difference in length of the clubs in one combination ascompared to another adjoining combination is the same for allcombinations. For example, in the embodiment disclosed, the differencein length of the clubs between the first and second combination is thesame as the difference in length of the clubs between the second andthird combination.

Each club in a combination is matched to provide identical swingcharacteristics. The entire set is provided with unique loftprogressions between the clubs in the combinations, whereby each of thecombinations is formed with the same loft difference between theindividual clubs in any particular combination. That is the differencein loft between all clubs in a single combination is the same number ofdegrees. In addition, each separate combination has a loft differencebetween the individual clubs in that combination that is different fromthe loft difference of the individual clubs in any of the othercombinations.

Another feature of the set of golf clubs of the present invention isthat the loft difference between the highest lofted club in acombination and the lowest lofted club in an adjoining higher loftedcombination is no more than the loft difference between consecutiveindividual clubs in the prior less lofted combination and is less thanthe loft difference between consecutive individual clubs in an adjoininghigher lofted combination.

The present set of golf clubs has a loft difference between the highestlofted club in a combination and the lowest lofted club in an adjoininghigher lofted combination that is less than the loft difference betweenthe highest lofted club in the same adjoining higher lofted combinationand the lowest lofted club in the next adjoining higher loftedcombination.

In addition, the clubs include a shaft and a grip at the upper end ofsaid shaft and each of the clubs in the combination has the same length,swing weight and club head weight while maintaining a consistent centerof gravity. The center of gravity is defined by the intersection of thehorizontal (X), vertical (Y) and anterior/posterior (Z) axis oftenreferred to as the actual center of gravity and is located equidistantfrom the ball striking face.

Each individual golf club of the combination of golf clubs in accordancewith the present invention is made within the following tolerances whilemaintaining essentially identical characteristics. The designated loftof each individual club may vary plus or minus 1.0 degrees. Thedesignated length may vary plus or minus 0.275 inches. The designatedswing weight may vary plus or minus 1.0 swing weight points or 50 graminches. The designated club head weight may vary plus or minus 5.0grams. The resultant center of gravity may vary plus or minus 0.125inches from its reference point.

The range of parameters for multiple combinations of different lengthsof three or more consecutive golf clubs within a set is preferably thefollowing: the lofts of a club head defining the ball striking face arebetween 15 and 65 degrees; the length of a club is between 30 and 40inches; the swing weight of a club is between 5350 gram/inches and 6350gram/inches; the club head weight is between 220 grams and 370 grams andthe vertical center of gravity is between 0.50 inches and 0.90 inches,and the horizontal center of gravity is 0.125 inches from the centerlineof the ball striking face, and the anterior/posterior center of gravityis 0.125 inches from its reference point of 0.15 inches behind thestriking face.

An entire set may comprise up to a maximum of 12 consecutive ironslofted from 15 degrees to 65 degrees. The golf club combinations withina particular set have a minimum of three consecutive clubs 102.

Among the objects of the present invention is a set of golf irons havingat least two or more combinations of different lengths of golf clubshaving the same length, same weight, same swing weight and consistentcenter of gravity in each of the combinations of clubs in the set.

Still another object is the provision of a set of golf clubs formed ofat least two combinations of individual clubs having the same loftdifference between the clubs of a some combination.

Another object is the provision of a set of golf clubs formed ofmultiple combinations where the difference in loft between clubs in aparticular combination is different than the difference in loft betweenclubs in other combinations.

A further object is the provision of a set of golf clubs formed of atleast two combinations wherein the loft difference between individualclubs in a first combination is greater than the clubs of anothercombination when the length of the clubs in the first combination isless than the length of the clubs of another combination.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of acombination of at least three individual golf clubs having the samecenter of gravity by adjustment of the physical size and shape of theclub head.

These and other objects will become apparent with reference to thedrawings and specification of the present application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a set of golf club irons made in threecombinations of three clubs in accordance with present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of three iron type, golf club headsforming a single combination of clubs of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of a single iron type golf club headof the invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the club head of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the club head of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the club head of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a toe perspective view of the club head of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a heel perspective view of the club head of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a toe end view of the club head of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 discloses a set of golf clubs 100 inaccordance with the principles of the present invention. The setincludes individual clubs 102 in three adjoining combinations 103 asrepresented by a first combination 103 a of a first three clubs 102, asecond combination 103 b of a middle three clubs 102 and a thirdcombination 103 c of a last three clubs 102. Each golf club 102 of theset includes a club head 104, shaft 106 and grip 108.

The overall length of each club 102 preferably is between 30 and 40inches, the exact length being determined by the physical size andoverall dimensions of the particular golfer who will use the clubs. Inthe embodiment shown, each club 102 of a first combination 103 a of theset 100 is made the same length of 38.25 inches within a tolerance of0.275 inches. The second combination 103 b of three clubs 102 has alength of 37.25 inches also within a tolerance of 0.275 inches. Thethird combination 103 c of three clubs has a length of 36.25 with a0.275 inch tolerance.

In the present embodiment, the first combination 103 a has a length of38.25 inches plus or minus 0.275 inches. The adjoining combination 103 bhas a length of 37.25 inches plus or minus 0.275 inches. The differencein length of the clubs in these combinations 103 a and 103 b asdisclosed is 1 inch and may be as little as 0.45 inches and as great as1.55 inches in keeping within the above parameters. The length of theclubs 102 in the third adjoining combination 103 c is 36.25 inches plusor minus 0.275 inches. As with the first two combinations 103 a and 103b, the difference in length of the clubs of combination 103 c and theclubs 102 of the previously adjoining combination 103 b is alsodisclosed as 1 inch and may be as little as 0.45 inches and as great as1.55 inches. Embodiments of a set of golf clubs using more than threecombinations to make the set will maintain the same difference in lengthof 0.45 inches to 1.55 inches for all adjoining combinations.

Each club 102 in a combination 103 a, for example, is matched to provideidentical swing characteristics and the set 100 is provided with uniqueloft progressions between the clubs in the combinations. The individualclubs 102 in any of the combinations are formed with a loft differencebetween the individual clubs 102 in any particular combination that isthe same. For example, the clubs 102 in the first combination 103 a allhave a loft difference of 3.0 degrees between the clubs 102. The clubs102 in the second combination have a loft difference 3.5 degrees and theclubs 102 in the third combination have a loft difference of 4.0degrees. Therefore, each separate combination 103 a, 103 b and 103 c hasa loft difference between the individual clubs in that combination thatis different from the loft difference of the individual clubs in any ofthe other combinations.

Another feature of the set 100 of golf clubs 102 of the presentinvention is that individual combinations of clubs have progressivelygreater loft differences between individual clubs as the length of theclubs 102 in individual combinations decrease. In other words, thehigher lofted clubs 102 in a combination have a greater difference inloft between the clubs. For example, combination 103 c has individualclubs 102 that have the shortest length of 36.25 inches and have a loftdifference of 4 degrees between the individual clubs 102 in thatcombination 103 c. Likewise combination 103 b that has a length of 37.25inches for each individual club 102 has a lesser loft difference of 3.5degrees between the individual clubs 102. Combination 103 a that has thelongest length of 38.5 inches for each club 102, has the least loftdifference of 3.0 degrees between the individual clubs 102 in thecombination 103 a.

The swing weight of each club 102 in any of the individual combinations103 of clubs is essentially the same and may vary plus or minus 1.0swing weight points or 50 gram inches and may vary between combinations.Overall the swing weight is between 5350 gram/inches and 6350gram/inches depending upon the physical characteristics and theindividual swing of the golfer using the set of clubs 100.

The club head weight is the same for each club 102 of any of theindividual combinations 103 of the set 100 and overall is between 220grams and 370 grams and may vary plus or minus 5.0 grams.

The center of gravity, CG, is also essentially the same for each club102 in a given combination 103 of the set. The Y-axis is located 0.50inches to 0.90 inches from the bottom of the club head. The X-axis islocated at the centerline of the club face. The Z-axis is located 0.15inches posterior to the club face. The X, Y and Z axes may vary plus orminus 0.125 inches from its reference point. The CG is located at apoint equidistant from the ball striking face for all clubs in acombination.

FIG. 2 shows three club heads 104 of a typical combination 103 havingdifferent lofts of 29.5 degrees, 33.0 degrees and 36.5 degrees but withidentical physical characteristics as described below.

FIGS. 3 through 8 show a typical club head 104 of a generallyconventional design used in the golf set 100 of the present invention.It will be appreciated that all club heads 104 within the set 100 varyprimarily in loft angle throughout the set 100 in a conventional manner.Each club head 104 includes a ball striking face 110, heel 112, toe 114,top ridge 116, bottom sole 118, and a rear peripheral weight 120, havinga rear face 122, formed at an angle between said striking face 110 andrear face 122, the angle progressively increasing in a heel 112 to toe114 direction. A rear cavity 124 is formed in the rear weight 120. Theclub head 104 further includes a hosel 126 for connection to a shaft 106as shown in FIG. 1.

Each club head 104 is made as a single integral unit with all the clubhead parameters as described above precisely controlled usingconventional forging, casting, CNC milling, 3D printing or othermanufacturing techniques.

The set includes at least two combinations 103 formed of a plurality ofat least three golf clubs 102, with progressively increasing lofts, eachhaving a club head 104, a shaft 106 and grip 108 to provide identicalswing characteristics when using essentially the same golf swing.

Table 1 discloses typical measurements of various parameters of threecombinations 103 of golf clubs 102 the make up a set 100. The tablequantifies the center of gravity, CG, the toe and heel heights, the clubhead weight, the grip weight, the shaft weight, the shaft length, thetotal length, the cavity parameters, the back angle and the back heightof the club head.

TABLE 1 20.5 23.5 26.5 29.5 33 36.5 40 44 48 CG X Axis Inches 0.05 0.050.04 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.05 CG Y Axis Inches 0.71 0.72 0.72 0.700.70 0.69 0.67 0.66 0.64 CG Z Axis Inches −0.19 −0.17 −0.17 −0.16 −0.15−0.14 −0.13 −0.12 −0.11 Head Weight grams 252.0 252.0 252.0 268.0 268.0268.0 285.0 285.0 285.0 Grip Weight grams 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.0050.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 Shaft Weight grams 125.0 125.0 125.0 121.0 121.0121.0 117.0 117.0 117.0 Shaft Length inches 37.07 37.07 37.07 36.0736.07 36.07 35.07 35.07 35.07 Total Length inches 38.25 38.25 38.2537.25 37.25 37.25 36.25 36.25 36.25 Major Tran Axis Inches 2.48 2.482.48 2.48 2.48 2.48 2.48 2.48 2.48 (MATA) Minor Tran Axis Inches 0.550.55 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55 (MITA) Cavity Area Sq In 1.071.07 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.07 Back Angle degrees 6.25 6.256.25 6.25 6.25 6.25 6.25 6.25 6.25 Back Height Inches 0.61 0.61 0.600.56 0.55 0.54 0.50 0.49 0.48 Toe Height Inches 2.01 2.01 2.01 2.13 2.132.13 2.44 2.44 2.44 Heel Height Inches 1.06 1.06 1.06 1.18 1.18 1.181.30 1.30 1.30

The present invention is not limited to the specific golf club headsdisclosed and it is equally applicable to club heads of various designsand shapes. It will also be appreciated that other modifications,including but not limited to the preferred embodiment, can be made tothe combinations of golf clubs disclosed above in keeping within thespirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

1. A set of a golf clubs having a plurality of at least two combinationsof clubs; each combination of said set having a different length thanthe length of other combinations of said set; each combination includinga minimum of three golf clubs; each of the minimum of three golf clubsin a combination having the same length that are matched to provideidentical swing characteristics; said combinations of said set havingunique loft progressions between the clubs in the individualcombinations, whereby each of the combinations is characterized by aloft difference between the individual clubs in any particularcombination that is the same; and each combination having a loftdifference between the individual clubs in that combination that isdifferent from the loft difference of the individual clubs in any of theother combinations; each club being further defined by an identical clubhead weight; and, each club having an identical swing weight.
 2. The setof claim 1 wherein each individual combination of clubs hasprogressively greater loft differences between individual clubs as thelength of the clubs in the individual combinations decrease.
 3. The setof claim 2 wherein the difference in club length between combinations isconstant and repeated between all combinations in a set.
 4. The set ofclaim 3 wherein the club length difference between successivecombinations of clubs is no less than 0.45 inches and no more than 1.55inches.
 5. The set of claim 1 wherein the loft difference between thehighest lofted club in a combination and the lowest lofted club in anadjoining, higher lofted combination is less than the loft differencebetween the highest lofted club in the same adjoining, higher loftedcombination and the lowest lofted club in the next adjoining, higherlofted combination.
 6. The set of claim 5 wherein the loft differencebetween the highest lofted club in a combination and the lowest loftedclub in an adjoining, higher lofted combination is no more than the loftdifference between consecutive individual clubs in the prior less loftedcombination and is less than the loft difference between consecutiveindividual clubs in an adjoining, higher lofted combination.
 7. The setof claim 1 wherein each individual golf club includes a club head formedof a ball striking face, upper surface, bottom, toe, heel and rearsurface including an integral rear weight; each individual golf clubincluding a shaft and a grip at the upper end of said shaft.
 8. The setof claim 1 further defined by the height of said toe and the height ofsaid heel in individual irons is the same for each individual clubwithin each combination.
 9. A set of a golf clubs having a plurality ofat least two combinations of clubs; each combination of said set havingdifferent lengths; each combination including a minimum of three golfclubs of the same length in the combination that are matched to provideidentical swing characteristics; said combinations in said set havingunique loft progressions between the clubs in the combinations, wherebyeach of the combinations is characterized by a loft difference betweenindividual clubs in any particular combination that is the same; andeach combination having a loft difference between the individual clubsin that combination that is different from the loft difference of theindividual clubs in any of the other combinations; each club including ashaft and a grip at the upper end of said shaft; each club being furtherdefined by an identical club head weight; and, each club having anidentical swing weight; each club head of a combination characterized byhaving an essentially identically located, center of gravity defined bythe intersection of the horizontal X-axis, the vertical Y-axis andposterior Z-axis of the club head.
 10. The set of claim 9 wherein eachindividual combination of clubs has progressively greater loftdifferences between individual clubs as the length of the clubs in theindividual combinations decrease.
 11. The set of claim 10 wherein thedifference in club length between combinations is constant and repeatedbetween all combinations in a set.
 12. The set of claim 11 wherein theclub length difference between successive combinations of clubs is noless than 0.45 inches and no more than 1.55 inches.
 13. The set of claim9 wherein the loft difference between the highest lofted club in acombination and the lowest lofted club in an adjoining, higher loftedcombination is less than the loft difference between the highest loftedclub in the same adjoining, higher lofted combination and the lowestlofted club in the next adjoining, higher lofted combination.
 14. Theset of claim 13 wherein the loft difference between the highest loftedclub in a combination and the lowest lofted club in an adjoining, higherlofted combination is no more than the loft difference betweenconsecutive individual clubs in the prior less lofted combination and isless than the loft difference between consecutive individual clubs in anadjoining, higher lofted combination.
 15. The set of claim 9 whereineach individual golf club includes a club head formed of a ball strikingface, upper surface, bottom, toe, heel and rear surface including anintegral rear weight; each individual golf club including a shaft and agrip at the upper end of said shaft.
 16. The set of claim 9 furtherdefined by the height of said toe and the height of said heel inindividual irons is the same within each combination.
 17. A set of agolf clubs having a plurality of at least two combinations of clubs;each combination of said set having different lengths; each combinationincluding a minimum of three golf clubs of the same length in thecombination that are matched to provide identical swing characteristics;said set having unique loft progressions between the clubs in thecombinations, whereby each of the combinations is characterized by aloft difference between individual clubs in any particular combinationthat is the same; and each combination having a loft difference betweenthe individual clubs in that combination that is different from the loftdifference of the individual clubs in any of the other combinations;each club including a shaft and a grip at the upper end of said shaft;each club being further defined by an identical club head weight; and,each club having an identical swing weight; each club head of acombination characterized by having an essentially identically located,center of gravity behind and equidistant from the ball striking face andat the intersection of the horizontal X-axis, the vertical Y-axis andposterior Z-axis of the club head for each club in a combination. 18.The set of claim 17 wherein individual combinations of clubs haveprogressively greater loft differences between individual clubs as thelength of the clubs in individual combinations decrease.
 19. The set ofclaim 18 wherein the separation in club length between combinations isconsistent and repeated between selected combinations.
 20. The set ofclaim 19 wherein the club length difference between successivecombinations of clubs is no less than 0.45 inches and no more than 1.55inches.
 21. The set of claim 20 wherein the loft difference between thehighest lofted club in a combination and the lowest lofted club in anadjoining, higher lofted combination is less than the loft differencebetween the highest lofted club in the same ad joining, higher loftedcombination and the lowest lofted club in the next adjoining, higherlofted combination.
 22. The set of claim 21 wherein the loft differencebetween the highest lofted club in a combination and the lowest loftedclub in an adjoining, higher lofted combination is no more than the loftdifference between consecutive individual clubs in the prior less loftedcombination and is less than the loft difference between consecutiveindividual clubs in an adjoining, higher lofted combination.
 23. The setof claim 17 wherein each individual golf club includes a club headformed of a ball striking face, upper surface, bottom, toe, heel andrear surface including an integral rear weight; each individual golfclub including a shaft and a grip at the upper end of said shaft. 24.The set of claim 23 further defined by the height of said toe and theheight of said heel of individual irons is the same within eachcombination.